Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Starting Again at Crofton Hall
SERIES: Modern Crofton
AUTHOR: Rebecca Cohen
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 339 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 2, 2023
BLURB:
After making a decision that will change his life forever, Robin Flint arrives at Crofton Hall, looking for a place to recover and start again. Love is not enough to continue living a lie.
An unexpected meeting where sparks fly was meant to be a one off, but Simon MacLove is just too wonderful to cast aside. But since Robin hadn’t intended to continue things, Robin didn’t tell Simon, a local police officer, that he was a millionaire trust fund baby and the future Viscount Whetford. Robin has a lot of baggage, but so does Simon, and whether they can carry it together and is very much up in the air, especially as Robin’s now ex-boyfriend, movie star Dorian Marsten, hasn’t accepted things are truly over between them.
Meanwhile, Ben and Ashley are still enjoying their post-honeymoon bliss, and have decided to work on the next generation of Redbourns. Only it’s not so easy when neither of them have the necessary biological equipment, meaning the road to them becoming parents isn’t going to be straightforward.
This is the fifth Modern Crofton novel. Each story features a new couple falling in love at Crofton Hall, with the continuing life and love of Ben Redbourn, 16th Earl of Crofton, and the man of his dreams, Ashley (was Niven now Redbourn).
REVIEW:
NOTE: This is the fifth book in the Modern Crofton series and it builds on the first four titles. It is recommended to read them in order as this book contains major spoilers for the previous books.
Robin Flint has finally had it. His closeted movie star Dorian Marsten is now getting “fake married” to his “fake girlfriend” and just expects Robin to hand around being his real boyfriend and PA for another couple of years. In the end, Robin finally admits to himself that he’ll never ever be as important to Dorian as his career, so it’s time to cut his losses. He leaves Dorian high and dry in LA and decides he wants to go home to the UK. But he does not want to be coddled by his family, so he ends up with his friends Ben and Ashely at Crofton Hall.
Ben and Ashley are happy to have Robin stay. Ben has been friends with Dorian and Robin for years and he does not pull any punches when Dorian calls him whining about Robin leaving him. Basically Ben tells him he’s gotten what he deserves and that’s that. Robin is a bit lost, but he’s starting to think of the future. Money is no issue as he’s actually the future Viscount Whetford and he’s even considering going back to university. He’s a bit set on the best – I mean it is his family heritage we’re talking about here.
While out for lunch with Ashley, one of the new guys in Ashley’s local running group is there. Ashley calls him over and they enjoy lunch together. Simon is a police detective with the local department having just gotten out of a very messy divorce himself. He’s still getting over some of the issues his narcissistic ex caused, but they are on the same page and heat up the sheets rather quickly. Then Robin gets cold feet and dashes off. It’s Ben that provides some very wise counsel to take his time and see if anything is there and maybe try an honest relationship for once 🙂
Robin is worried a bit about just getting out of a relationship. He’s finally at a place in his life where he’s ready to take the reins and decide who he really is and what he really wants. It’s been a long time coming and it’s not without some missteps. Simon has been through the bad relationship and they both agree to communicate and make sure they keep things very honest between them. They certainly go into things with the best of intentions. Nothing is ever perfect, however, and while there are a few mistakes made along the way, there is a path forward if they can make the right choices with the best intentions behind them.
I continue to really enjoy this series. Having met Robin in a previous book, I had some idea of what his life was like, but this book really fleshes out his past and his toxic relationship with Dorian. Honestly I was so happy that Robin left the way he did and that Ben had no sympathy for Dorian. Simon has also been in a toxic relationship that while different, has definitely left wounds as well. Together they take things slow – well except for the shagging bit 😉 Robin has doubts about his future and also how Simon will react to his family and his past and his future. They both end up providing support to each other. Neither is perfect and Simon in particular is a patient and understanding with Robin which is necessary given how fast they have gotten together after Robin has left Dorian.
This series always brings along the rest of the gang and it’s no different in this one. Dara is deep in research and Chris is working on his scripts and his new academic program. Jack, Ashley’s best friend and Chris are moving their relationship forward. There is some fun with regard to Simon’s family and other incidents from the past at Crofton Hall that make for some interesting times as well. Every book I can’t wait to see what tidbit from the past is going to come up and how that will play out with the “modern” Crofton Hall crowd.
Another thing I really like in this series is the development of the female characters. While there may be bridezillas and the odd annoying personality, this author writes sisters and mothers and friends that are believable and three-dimensional. So often in MM romance, this is not the case and I love how they are portrayed here. Robin’s family, Ben’s family and Simon’s family are all wonderfully written and supportive in their own ways of the men in their family and their significant others. Just a wonderful series of found family with delightful characters, fun surprises and a lovely sense of British society and humor that will provide I believe many good reads in the future as well. Highly recommended!
RATING:
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